Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-06-09
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Special Corresponding Of Gazette and Journal
NEWARK. June .. A.z.Probably for the
first time in 46 years wns the convention
of the Delaware Dineese Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church caile7 TO order by nny
other than the late and anerable Bishop
Lee. At this the ii1iat annual convention
the duty devolved upop Mr.. q. M. Curtis,
the secretary Of the 26 preceding com
ventions and with 3 brief and feelingnisn-
ton of the deep loss of the diocesh he
declared the convention open at 8 l5 o.
M, at St. Thomas Church. The body of
the church was comfortably filled with
the representation ef the clergy and lnity.
The clerical roll Showed the following
present The ReYs. w, A. Alrich, st.
James', Stanton and Newport r. Ruth
win Armstrong, st. Peters, loves
George M. Bond, ~. Thomaa', Newark
Lewis w. Gibson, Cbfist, Dover; jesse
Higgins, Trinity, Wilmington George
W. Johnston, st. biFTk a and SC. Georges,
Sussex county r, ~ fsightner, Imman-
la&l, Nov Castle SspFsHftfiner Litteil, 81.
Johns, Wilmington Chhfies e. Murray,
st. Andrews, Wilmington Dudley d.
Smith, Christ, ChristianR hundred; Ed
ward Wootten, st. Luke's, Seaford. The
personnel of the laity, as published in
the GAzErrE several days ago, was
subject to considerable change by reason
of unavoidable absences of certain dele
gates, notably that Of Chief Justice Com
eggs, whose recent bereavement pre-
cluded his attendance.
,ft
much more interesting and perhaps con-
fusing than the morning session, in that
the election of bishop was very yolum-
inously discussed pro and con. The
first shell was launched in the form OF a
resolution that the convention proceed 10
the election of bishop. q. l.. Martin
offered the amendment that O special
convention be held at st. Andrews
Church, Wilmington, Wednesday, October
5th, for the sole purpose of electing a
bishop. Immediately there ensued some
confusion and no end OF amendments and
substitutions to the original motion. 1t
seemed that every clergyman and lay del
egate on the floor was supplied with ex-
pedients for the proper consideration of
the live question. The chair itself failed
quite naturally TO keep track of the nu-
merous and multiform propositions, but
cosmos WAS finally extracted, and full
expression of the members heard.
Mr.. Martin led the opposition to an
early election in truly congressional
manner, and thought that the subject
should not even be mentioned until q
thorough provision had been made for
the adequate support Of O bishop. '.Be-
Sides" he continued, ''tbia, convention is
not, in my estimation, qualified at present
to make judicious selection, since 80
short time has intervened from the
death of our head" Dr. Johnston fay-
ored an immediate election when O full
attendance was on hand, strongly con-
iemning postponement. DIR. Burr of
the laity, favored conservatism above all
things, and thought that an election at
present should not be made without a
bona ide and sufficient episco-
pate fund to support any man
whom the convention might see
fit TO elect. The Rev. MIR. Gibson favored
an immediate election on the grounds of
convenience and the present large attend
ance OF clergy end laity. Remarks were
also made by DR.. Fowler, II. II. Nowland
the Rev. Mr.. Armstrong and DIR. Hugh
Martin. The latter explained TINT $17 500
was now paid in to the episcopRte fund,
is hearing 8 per cent interest, while the
apportioned amount to each parish waa
bearing 9 per cent interest. This practi-
cally amounts TO paid-in fund OF
$3.50, 600, the income from which amounts
to abont 81 800 per annum, and he wnn
strongly opposed TO the election until
$40, 600 at least was raised. The Rev.
Mr.. Lightner urged wise counsel and de.
liberation on subject of such paramount
importance. Jealous and combined work
in oil the parishes would certainly accom-
plish this great task.
After several amendments and substi-
tutes had been effectually disposed of,
the convention, by vote Of 2S to 81, de-
oided to 60 into an election of bishop
Immediately after the consideration of the
proposed increase TO the episcopate fund.
The house adjourned to meet at 8 O'Clock
p. M, to make the episcopate fund the
special order from the session.
On the reassembling of the house at 8
p. m. the committee ON resolutions OF
sympathy TO Bishop Lee reported through
the Rev. ID. ID. Smith. The resolution
made deep impression upon the audi
ence and was received standing. After
long consideration Of the episcopate
fund Judge Fisher of Dover moved that
the rector of each parish thoroughly and
faithfully solicit subscriptions to the
fund. The motion was carried.
DR.. Nathan Pratt, Milford, then routed
the procrastinators by the simple motion
that the election Of bishop be at once
entered on. The vote upon the question
was 40-6, and the chair appointed the
Revs. Alrich and Higgins as tellers. An
intense interest was manifested in the
face of every one present.
The first nomination was the Rev. DR..
j. Huston Eccleston of Emmanuel Church
Baltimore. This nomination, by the Rev.
Mr.. Smith, was the only open nomination
Three ballots were taken by the clergy
and at each count Mr. Eocleston had 9
strong following. The Rev. Mr.. Gibson
was developed more strength than wal
anticipated at such an early stage of the
contest. The Revs. T. q. Littell, j. L.
Coleman, A. A. Benton of Delaware Col
lege, and j. 3. b. Hodges OF Baltimore
received scattering vote.
The three ballots were as follows Eo
cleston, O, 2, z; Gibson, 4, 3, 81 Litiell, Q
!, 3; Coleman, 2, 2, 2 Benton, l, l, /
Hodges, l, /, /.
The canon requires two thirds vots
of the clergy and a two thirds oomfirngs
tion by the laity.
DIR. Eocleston is described as good
conservative ehurchman of the evangelical
type, with an abundance of energy and
private means. He il o married man ol
40 years ofage.
The house adjourned at 1040 %. M,
till o'clock this morning when ballotlnf
will be continued.
NEWARK, June 3.-The celebration Of
the holy communion in st. Thomas
Church at 2 O'Clock by the Rev. Mr.. Kerr
of Milford was the first thing ON the
ministerial tapis yesterday morning, ,wher
Is clergymen received the holy saora
ment.
After eight more ballots, DIR. Pratt, lay
man from Milford, made motion to sus
pend the election for tho present, which
waa carried. II was probably the most ex
pedient course 10 pursue az compliea
tions arose that rendered clerical selec
tiOn quite impossible.
With an unusual sigh Of relief the con.
vention devoted the remaining hours Il
routine work. I
On motion of the Rev. Mr.. Smith, the
house voted $3.50 from the disabled
clergy fund TO the widow of former
clergyman of the diocese.
Ex.Judge Fisher moved to amend canor
II by striking outthe word "Inale" in the
qualifications OF parish voter. Referred
to committee on canons.
The Rev. ID. d. Smith moved the fran
ing of resolutions on the death of tn,
Rev. w. Il. Ellis of Millsboro. Carried,
On motion Of the Rev. j. O. Kerr, Mil
ford, the house proceeded to the election
of standing committees. The Reva, Light